Blue Diamond Prelude over Inglis Millennium for My Gladiola
Trainer John McArdle has opted to keep promising filly My Gladiola in Melbourne, despite being invited to contest a lucrative restricted race in Sydney. His focus remains on securing a Group 1 victory.
The $2 million Inglis Millennium (1100m) is set to take place at Randwick on Saturday, coinciding with the Group 2 fillies’ division of the Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) at Caulfield.
My Gladiola made an impressive debut, claiming victory in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) at Sandown on January 25. With the prestigious Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 22 looming, McArdle sees staying in Melbourne as the best course of action.
“They (people from Inglis) rang me and asked if I was coming,” McArdle said regarding the Sydney invitation.
“She is eligible for the race and qualified, but with the view that the Blue Diamond is her target, it’s a bit hard on a young horse to take them to Sydney and then come back down and race again.”
My Gladiola currently leads the betting markets for the Blue Diamond Stakes at $4, though upcoming Prelude results could shift the rankings.
McArdle was pleased with the filly’s debut, highlighting her ability to accelerate when needed.
“I usually do take them off the bridle before race day, but she ran around a bit (in her jumpout) so that made it hard for Jamie Mott to do that a bit,” McArdle said.
“That was the question she needed to answer, and it was good to see her respond.”
Having previously won a jumpout at Caulfield Heath before her Sandown run, McArdle is eager to see how she handles the Caulfield track again.
He noted that My Gladiola seemed slightly unsettled at Sandown due to the open spaces after leaving the chute.
“Jamie did comment that when she came out of the chute and into the wide-open spaces that she had a good look,” McArdle said.
“She physically is a big girl, she carries a bit of condition and still has got a fair bit on her, but she did a bit of evens on Saturday morning, and she was spot on doing it.
“All the data was good, she was lovely and relaxed, so she looks to be in really good order.”
More Racing News
Michael Freedman seals brilliant day with Cinsault's stakes success
Michael Freedman's bold "Hail Mary" gamble succeeded when his peak-condition mare Cinsault claimed stakes company for the first time in the Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) held at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday.Owned by Godolphin, Cinsault had previously notched three wins from four summer starts in lesser company prior to Freedman entering...
Oakleigh Plate victory makes Sam Freedman's 30th birthday special via Tropicus
Tropicus gave trainer Sam Freedman a memorable Group 1 present on his 30th birthday.This four-year-old Too Darn Hot gelding claimed his debut top-flight win by powering clear of competitors in the $750,000 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) held at Caulfield on Saturday.Freedman and his father Anthony, co-trainers, had Tropicus as their secondary...
Ninja lands Hobartville Stakes after tough Magic Millions run
Putting the agony of an unfortunate defeat in the Magic Millions Guineas behind him, Ninja has notched up wins against prominent foes to capture the Group Two Hobartville Stakes at Rosehill.In his last start at the Gold Coast, the colt raced wide due to his outside gate but battled gamely,...
Streisand triumphs in Caulfield's Blue Diamond Stakes
Clinton McDonald has reclaimed his status as 'King of the Kids' for the second time in three years, courtesy of Streisand's victory in Victoria's leading two-year-old event at Caulfield.The trainer took the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) two years back with the tragic Hayasugi, and it was again a...
Ambitious plans ahead for Piggyback following Rosehill success
Consistent long-distance runner Piggyback has positioned herself for a potential Group One weight-for-age challenge during autumn after a dominant performance in the Parramatta Cup at Rosehill.Assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord to Ciaron Maher indicated various paths forward for the five-year-old mare, among them the Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill come March...
Futurity Stakes delivers Pericles breakthrough Group 1 success
The resilient gelding Pericles shed his Group 1 maiden status by grabbing a well-deserved top-level victory in the $750,000 Futurity Stakes on Saturday at Caulfield.Six heartbreaking placings at the highest grade—including a runner-up effort in the Futurity Stakes two seasons prior—were put behind him as the Street Boss six-year-old saluted...
Dominant Silver Slipper win catapults Stretan Ruler towards Golden Slipper
Phillip Stokes, the Pakenham trainer, admitted to getting disoriented at Rosehill Gardens, yet his exceptional colt Stretan Ruler navigated straight to an authoritative triumph in Saturday's Group 2 $300,000 Silver Slipper (1100m).Stretan Ruler demanded respect by blistering around the 1100m in 1:03.64s, finishing 3-1/2 lengths clear of Sydney's leading juveniles."I...
Buckaroo welcomes Jye McNeil for Futurity Stakes return
Cox Plate placegetter Buckaroo will have jockey Jye McNeil back on board for his opening outing of the autumn series at Caulfield.The gelding heads into the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday, piloted by McNeil.In the gelding's tally of 31 career starts, McNeil has only been aboard...
Walker team warming to Geegees Mistruth ahead of Caulfield feature
Mark Walker's Cranbourne stable has developed an increasing fondness for Geegees Mistruth the longer she has been in their care.The four-year-old, bred in Tasmania, transferred to the Walker outfit last spring following preparation by Stuart Gandy.With six successes in 15 races, Geegees Mistruth remains without a mainland triumph, but hopes...
Berry confident in Ninja's Hobartville Stakes bid
Premier jockey Tommy Berry reckons a Queensland summer campaign has reshaped the previously unruly Ninja, placing his trust in the gelding to match the top three-year-olds at Rosehill.During his Queensland stint, Ninja raced three times, claiming victory in the Vo Rogue Plate (1300m) at Eagle Farm and battling from a...